Cushing's Triad is defined by which combination of signs?

Cushing's Triad is defined by which combination of signs?

• A. Hypertension, Tachycardia, Irregular respirations
• B. Hypertension, Bradycardia, Irregular respirations
• C. Hypotension, Bradycardia, Regular respirations
• D. Hypertension, Tachycardia, Regular respirations

Answer: (B)

Cushing's Triad signals rising intracranial pressure with brainstem involvement. It is defined by systolic hypertension (often with a widened pulse pressure), bradycardia, and irregular or abnormal respirations. The elevated blood pressure helps maintain cerebral perfusion when ICP is high, the bradycardia arises from a reflex to the increased pressure via the baroreceptors, and the irregular respirations reflect disruption of brainstem respiratory centers. Tachycardia would point to sympathetic activation rather than this late, brainstem-related pattern, and regular respirations indicate intact brainstem control rather than the dysfunction seen in Cushing's triad.

Cushing's Triad signals rising intracranial pressure with brainstem involvement. It is defined by systolic hypertension (often with a widened pulse pressure), bradycardia, and irregular or abnormal respirations. The elevated blood pressure helps maintain cerebral perfusion when ICP is high, the bradycardia arises from a reflex to the increased pressure via the baroreceptors, and the irregular respirations reflect disruption of brainstem respiratory centers. Tachycardia would point to sympathetic activation rather than this late, brainstem-related pattern, and regular respirations indicate intact brainstem control rather than the dysfunction seen in Cushing's triad.